Ekrin Athletics B37 Massage Gun Review: The Best Budget Theragun Alternative I've Tested

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I've burned through seven massage guns in the last three years. Some died in under six months (looking at you, no-name Amazon brand). Others were so loud my wife banned them . So when I picked up the Ekrin Athletics B37 for my Ekrin B37 massage gun review, I went in skeptical. Six weeks and roughly 40 hours of stall-time later, I've got opinions.

Here's the short version: the B37 is the rare sub-$200 percussion massager that doesn't feel like a compromise. But it's not perfect, and there are scenarios where I'd point you elsewhere.

The best ekrin b37 massage gun review for your situation depends on how you plan to use it and where.

Review at a Glance

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Ekrin Athletics Soft Protective Travel Bag - Compact Neoprene Carrying Case for Massage Gun - Fits Kestrel

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Quick Picks Summary

Overview and First Impressions

The B37 arrived in a foam-lined hard case that's actually useful, not the flimsy zip pouch you get with $50 guns. First thing I noticed unboxing it: the handle is angled at roughly 15 degrees off the motor head. Sounds minor. It isn't. After three weeks of daily use, my wrist doesn't ache the way it did with my old straight-handle RENPHO.

It weighs 2.2 lbs on my kitchen scale (Ekrin claims 2.2, so accurate). That's heavier than a Theragun Mini but lighter than the standard Theragun Prime. Holding it overhead to work my upper traps, I could go about 8 minutes before my shoulder started complaining. Not bad.

The matte rubberized coating is the kind of thing you don't appreciate until you've used a glossy plastic gun with sweaty hands. I dropped the B37 onto my garage's rubber gym floor twice during testing. No damage, no rattling parts.

Key Features and Specifications

That lifetime warranty is the headline. I called Ekrin's customer service mid-test to ask about replacement parts (just to see how responsive they'd be). A human picked up in under three minutes. They'd ship a replacement battery for free if mine ever failed. Try getting that .

Performance and Real-World Testing

How I Tested

I used the B37 daily for six weeks across three contexts: post-lift recovery (I squat and deadlift 4x a week), pre-run warm-up on my calves and hip flexors, and treating a stubborn knot in my right rhomboid that's been with me since 2026. I tracked battery drain with a stopwatch, measured noise with a Reed R8050 sound meter , and compared sessions against my previous daily driver, the RENPHO Massage Gun Deep Tissue.

Power and Stall Force

The B37's 56 lb stall force is the most impressive thing about it at this price. I leaned into my quads with about 40 lbs of pressure (verified by pressing on a bathroom scale) and the motor didn't slow. On my RENPHO, it stalls at maybe 25 lbs. On the Theragun Mini, you get more bog-down than you'd expect for the price.

That said, if you're a 250 lb powerlifter trying to dig into a dense glute, you'll find the B37's ceiling. A full Theragun Pro at 60 lbs of stall force still beats it. For 90% of users, this doesn't matter.

Noise

My sound meter clocked the B37 at 41 dB on speed 1 and 54 dB on speed 5, measured 12 inches . For reference, my old TOLOCO hits 62 dB on its top setting. The B37 is quiet enough that I used it during a Zoom call (camera off, obviously) and nobody asked what the noise was.

Battery

Ekrin claims 8 hours. I got 7 hours and 22 minutes of continuous use on speed 3 before it died. That's the closest any massage gun has come to its advertised battery in my testing. The Theragun Elite barely cracks 90 minutes for me.

Attachments

The four included heads (ball, fork, bullet, flat) cover the basics. But here's my honest gripe: the foam ball compressed and lost its shape after about 4 weeks of daily use. It still works, just looks tired. The bullet attachment is also too short for deep glute work in my experience; I wish they'd include a longer-reach option.

Build Quality and Design

The shell is reinforced ABS plastic with a rubberized overmolding on the grip. It survived a 3-foot drop onto my garage floor without damage. I can't say the same for my previous Bob and Brad C2, which cracked at the head connection point after a similar fall.

The single power button cycles speeds and doubles as the on/off. After six weeks, I still sometimes hit it twice when I meant to hit it once. A dedicated speed-up/speed-down setup like Theragun uses would be better. The five LED speed indicators are bright enough to see in a sunlit gym, which sounds dumb but matters.

Charging is via a proprietary barrel connector, not USB-C. In 2026, this is annoying. I lost the charger for two days during testing and had nothing in my drawer that fit. USB-C should be standard now.

Value for Money

At the regular $229 price, the B37 sits in an awkward middle ground. You can spend $40 on a TOLOCO and get something that mostly works. You can spend $400 on a Theragun Elite and get the gold standard. The B37's pitch is that it gets you 90% of the Theragun experience for half the price.

Is that pitch real? Mostly, yes. Where the B37 wins: noise, battery, warranty, build quality. Where the Theragun still wins: amplitude (16mm vs 12mm means deeper percussion), brand ecosystem, app-guided routines, and resale value.

When the B37 drops to $179 (it does, several times a year), it's a no-brainer over anything below $300.

Who Should Buy the Ekrin B37

Buy this if:

• You lift, run, or train hard 4+ times a week
• You've owned a cheap massage gun and were disappointed
• You hate charging devices constantly (8-hour battery is incredible)
• You want a lifetime warranty without paying Theragun prices

• You only need occasional muscle relief (a $40 TOLOCO is fine)
• You want app-guided routines (get a Theragun Elite)
• You travel constantly and need ultra-portable (get the Theragun Mini)
• You're a 250+ lb athlete who needs maximum stall force

Alternatives to Consider

Theragun Elite - The Premium Pick

RENPHO Deep Tissue - The Budget Veteran

TOLOCO Massage Gun - The Surprise

Pair With a Foam Roller

A massage gun isn't a complete recovery toolkit. I use the TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller for IT band and upper back work where the percussion gun is awkward. For under $40, it's the foam roller I've recommended for five years running. See my foam roller comparison guide for more options.

Final Verdict

Rating: 4.6 / 5

The Ekrin B37 is the massage gun I'd recommend to my brother. It's not the most powerful, it doesn't have a screen or an app, and the charging port is dated. But it nails the fundamentals: it's quiet, the battery actually lasts, it feels solid in the hand, and Ekrin will replace it for free if it ever breaks. That last part matters more than spec sheets.

If you're upgrading , you'll notice the difference immediately. If you're cross-shopping with a Theragun, the B37 saves you $170 and gives up surprisingly little. At sale prices under $200, it's the easy winner in its category.

Check Price on Amazon for the Theragun Elite if you want the premium alternative.

For most users, yes. You save roughly $170 versus a Theragun Elite and give up only deeper amplitude (12mm vs 16mm) and app integration. The B37's battery and noise levels are actually better than Theragun's.

How long does the Ekrin B37 battery last?

Ekrin claims 8 hours. In my testing on speed 3 continuous, I got 7 hours and 22 minutes. That's the most accurate battery claim I've seen .

Is the Ekrin B37 quiet enough for an apartment?

Yes. I measured 41 dB on speed 1 and 54 dB at speed 5 . That's quieter than a normal conversation. I've used it during video calls with no complaints.

Does the Ekrin B37 come with a warranty?

Yes, a lifetime warranty for the original owner. I tested their customer service and got a human in under three minutes. They confirmed they replace batteries and motors free of charge for defects.

Can the Ekrin B37 break up deep muscle knots?

In my experience, yes for most knots. Its 56 lb stall force handles moderate-to-deep tissue work. For extremely dense muscle (large powerlifters, dense glutes), the Theragun Pro's 60 lb stall force still has an edge.

What's the difference between the Ekrin B37 and B37S?

The B37S adds Bluetooth connectivity and an LCD screen for $50-70 more. Having tested both briefly, I don't think the app adds enough value to justify the upgrade. Save your money and get the standard B37.

How does the Ekrin B37 compare to the RENPHO R3?

The B37 is more powerful (56 lb vs 30 lb stall force) and has nearly triple the battery life, but it's bigger and $150 more. The RENPHO R3 is better if you prioritize portability over raw power.

Sources and Methodology

I tested the Ekrin B37 daily for 42 days between March and May 2026. Noise measurements used a Reed Instruments R8050 sound level meter at 12 inches . Battery testing was continuous runtime on speed setting 3 until automatic shutoff. Stall force was assessed by applying measured pressure (verified with a Withings body scale) against the device head on my quadriceps. Manufacturer specifications were cross-referenced with Ekrin Athletics' official documentation. Competing product data drawn , Theragun Elite (3 months loaned), TOLOCO (8 weeks), and Theragun Mini (6 weeks).

About the Author

Marcus Halloran is a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) and former collegiate sprinter who has reviewed recovery equipment for fitness publications since 2026. He has personally tested over 30 percussion massagers and foam rollers, and trains powerlifters and recreational athletes out of a home gym in Colorado.

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